AU!pairing: rake!dean winchester x "spinster" f!reader
summary: It was true, at some point, you swallowed down the long forgotten friendship you and Dean shared…or could you both really? It was the last season in which you would be suitable to marry without anymore scandal or being on the shelf too long for majority of the ton's er-opinion. While he, chaperone's his sister Charlie's debut and manages his reputation in society.
word count: 2.4K+ mwah
warnings: SO FAR angst like alot [i be going through it], swearing, YEARNING, dean being called a ho (rake), subtle whiffs of misogyny… ew [this era is so bad for woman, sorry yall. if you don't want to read that… i get it], # links to youtube orchestra covers? i hope you get it, if not BE WARNED. ;), tension, slow-burn. This will be an 18+ series.
a/n: enjoy <3, has themes from this season and prior aired on Bridgerton. Edited!shouldbe
[ 1 ] Dean was a simple gentleman, though if you'd asked a certain section of the ton… The man had come to be a rake, and too indulgent for many ma'ma's tastes. With his piercing emerald eyes, and simple yet catastrophic smirks, he was sure to catch the eyes of any lady off guard with his charm. It wasn't too hard to turn your head back to your brother, being reminded of that very fact about the ‘gentleman’ who made your blood boil.
You groan annoyed as his arm tightly interlocks with yours, as it had a few times since you arrived to Lady Bridgerton's masked ball. Even considered a spinster at your age, 'you still had higher standards than to waste time on the eldest son of Winchester house, right? Right. You only wished to give your best for his sister Charlie debuting this year, that she find love. As for him…'
'Some things could never be forgiven, not in this life'. the thought brimming at the front of your mind, echoing a past you long intended to forget.
"So as I was saying, my sister has decided to finally debut from off the shelf." He smiled, but the way your stomach coiled and squeezed at his blunt words made the acid burning up your throat hard to ignore.
"Ha-uh yes, I took a few years to study, and travel with my family-Jeremiah means." It came off harsh through your gritting teeth, swinging your back behind you and slamming the back of your hand into his chest. The actual reason had been practiced before you left your parents estate, yet with his acquaintances of the ton; he answered careless. Typical.
Each suitor's eyes were wide in perhaps disgust, maybe horror to see a 'lady,' who was true to a vow to never mute herself for a man. "Would you please excuse me for a moment." An exit, perfect to turn on your heels. Swallowing the lump in your throat while ignoring his chest clutching protests as you tuck your dance card away in the slit of your glove. Happy to haste through the crowds of people lining the edges of the dance floor, gently lifting up the silky lavender fabric of your dress, as your feet dodged around each small movement other guests.
The ton peaked to the side of their conversation, as always, very nosy and ready to spread gossip, a wildfire for the great Lady Whistledown to control its direct descent. If you could sink further into yourself, (and it was growing increasingly harder to deny), you would. You returned quick glances, and half-assed bows to their raised noses turning back to their conversations. You just needed to get to to the doorway.
'The Doorway' you repeat to yourself silently, passing through the hand-carved archway. Thanking whatever god had been listening that the music, and drunken babble, had begun to grow further into the distance.
Peace was hard to find in such a society that offered none, and all eyes remained searching for a slip, like a ominant chessboard. Tonight as one such case and with any luck- the garden to be empty. Tonight was just, except for one face turned out toward the stars. His torso seemed to rise and fall in deep breaths, physically able to see the tenseness in their shoulders melt away.
You walk slowly up the pebble peppered path, keeping a good amount of distance. "Have you come here for air as well?" leaning your head to the side, jaw clenching to the face that met you.
[ 2 ] "Yet I bare it with a woman that hates me most out of everyone" His words slash against you alike a sharpened blade. "Must you follow me too".
A harsh breath escapes your throat, "Very preposterous for you to assume that I, would follow you- anywhere", you said bluntly, adjusting your posture to meet his inflamed ego starting to rise like a hot-air balloon.
Dean adjusts the cuff of his sleeve, re-pinning it. "I wouldn't, except for I arrived first Sweetheart", he gives you the same old smirk, yet the simple two-string pet name was new... "So what have you ran off from? I thought this was finally your year to settle down like the rest of them".
You pursed you lips, "Well if it was your last year with any prospects, perhaps you would feel the need to marry but as you enjoy other…company, of course you would not be understanding", a sigh, looking to find him taking a step backward, and bowing. "Cat have your tongue?".
He shakes his head as he raises his torso, "A suitor caught your eye yet?". A simple 'no' leaves your lips. "Well then I shall leave you, don't want to get in the way of your prospects. Though I remind you there was once a time-".
"You don't get to bring that up" it comes out like a crack of a whip, forcing his gaze to meet yours. You had given many excuses for him the past few years, let the resentment build and build until it finally settled its tide, but yet tonight when the stars dotted the sky, and what once was bright, now fell into darkness lit by candle light - you couldn't help but feel that tremendous guilt slither up your spine, to the back of your neck. It's grip always tighter than the last, digging its serrated sharp nails deep into your skin. "Please".
The adam's apple in Dean's throat bobbed slowly, his expression softening for the first time in a long while in front of you, "One day when you're ready, I'll tell you my side of our story". He continues to a lift of your brow, "She, Whistledown, left out a few major details".
You curtsy to him, "One day Mr.Winchester, perhaps, I'll take you up on your offer.".
"I'll look forward to it.". He scoffs, bowing back to you dramatically- his eyes darkened under the amber glow.
[ 3 ] The bright rays of the sun filtered through the lacy trim of your umbrella, promenading down along the flowing river beside it. Delightedly taking in the smell of the freshly bloomed flowers of spring, snapping a stem of your favorite, and quickly stashing it in your small bag tied at your waist. 'It couldn't be a crime to take just one, right?'
"So are we stealing flowers now?" A familiar feminine voice calls out to you, peaking her head over your shoulder.
"My, I haven't seen you since you married" you turn being engulfed by the newly wed into a hug, "How are you liking the Novak estate?".
Cassie grins, a warm blush gracing the apples of her cheeks "Very much. James is…kind. Very helpful around the house with the staff, he seems to never tire himself which is quite odd but he says it 'makes him very happy' to do so for them'". She leans in, covering her mouth as she whispers- "I do think the staff does get annoyed when he gets in their way with the honey harvesting however".
You straighten out from her privacy shielding hand, and dote a small smile. "Well you are the woman who married the man who's family is quite sweet even up to what their legacy is built on". You nudge her with your elbow, earning a soft giggle from her as she interlocks arms with you.
"So I heard while I was away that you are officially coming out after scandal?" Cassie leads you both forward with matured confidence. "It is such great news to hear especially since.."
"I decided it is in my best interest, yes." you nod, eyes finding Dean's frame pass both you by- noting how his first met Cassie, just to trail onto you. The smallest movement of his jaw tightening down, and a flare of his nostrils said more then any word could in that moment- and you'd be lying if you said it didn't sting.
You'd also be lying if you didn't acknowledge how much pain he'd must have felt seeing the both of you together, even if just on a normal day where you walked past each other many times before.
"Mr.Winchester" Cassie, and you curtsy as she leads you past him with haste, leaning in closer to you, and lowly stating "He should not be allowed to stare at us, let alone be let out of his home".
"I think keeping him locked up would be the worse option, beside we are past that. Are we not?" You whisper, looking back to see him far ahead speaking with his few inches taller, and younger brother Samuel before continuing forward.
Cassie sighs "We are. Though he seems to be living up to the reputation.", her arm tightens "Promise me that you will stay on this path, to marry a nice man".
You chew your cheek "I am….", starting to fiddle with the hem of your glove.
"Then it is settled". A bright grin gracing her face only made it harder for you to retain the air in your lungs. You could have married that nice man had he not been in love with her. Had she not trailed him along long enough for him to come to you, asking about her other prospects. Only to find that secret eyes had misread the situation, spreading the interaction with inaccurate gusto-Dean had got off with the usual excuses for a man, as for you-, you took your ma'ma's suggestion of taking time away in the country until it blew over. Really it was your only option. Fortunate to be able to do so, 'unfortunate for your chances in the marriage mart' your mother's voice bouncing off the walls of your mind.
[ 4 ] The next morning was filled with not the most handsome suitors, or many. It did not help after the debacle with Dean in the garden that you had grown much too tired to carry on the night. Jeremiah had used other words, infact he said 'you fell ill'. Noticing the small changes in your family's behavior and the whole house seemed very keen to lie on your behalf just to get to the end of the season. The one with a shiny ring around your finger, and perhaps less of a 'personality'. You were hoping to keep both, surly.
Your ma'ma had been lecturing you on not speaking so bluntly, taking over at many points of the conversation just to have you smile politely. Even if your ties with Dean became sour, you wished he had been there instead- imagining him sitting across from you- just like you had right before the fallout. Swearing on about how you wished you could travel farther than the country, and have a husband who took you seriously about that very fact.
You paused for a moment, recollecting the part of that memory that had been shoved to the very pits.
How you had locked away at that very moment, infact - he had taken you seriously.
"I could only wish that for you, princes- I think only a prince will do that for you" He let out a small flush of air out from his nose, smiling down at the candle light watching it dance in that dark room where you two had thrown stolen quilts around your shoulders. Both of you clearly glossing over his stutter.
You cringed as from that you snorted a laugh, just not towards his error "My family does not have a big enough dowery to even tempt one, of many of Charlottes children, or various cousins, Dean. I'd be lucky for a someone a rank higher nobility".
He paused just tilting his head at you, that now renowned smirk softer thinking back- his eyes flicking from your candle lit eyes and lips, taking a shaky breath as he reset himself. "For what it's worth, I think your mind and heart is more powerful then some damn dowery or nobility- hell even royalty… but never tell the queen". His finger poking your shoulder gently, with a large grin.
"I swear it", poking him back.
The trance was broke by your ma'ma repeating you name over again as you finally came to, the last suitor had walked out some time ago. Leaving another lonely flower on the table. "I say seven flowers are very good" she bats her eyes at you, lifting from the seat and gathering them in a bunch.
"I suppose though I am uncertain any of them are going to return, if they can not get to know ME." You sigh, shoulders dropping comfortably after holding them perfectly to the flat of your mothers hand.
Her laugh scratches at your ears, "Dear, they will…in time", she grits her teeth awkwardly "It's just the marriage part- is most important right now".
"You can not nod profusely and expect to nod along with you, you do know that" You rested you hands on your hips watching her slow it to a hault. "I'm serious, I told you if I ever do marry.-"
"Yes, I know." Visibly able to see her face soften as she grabs one hand, then the other off your hips pulling them gently in towards her. "What I've never understood is why you rejected…"
"Ma'ma, No."
Your ma'ma tangles a set of fingers through your hair, "The Eldest Winchester. Ever since, you have acted as if marriage was the last thing in your life you wanted to do, yet the way he- he came around. I thought surely something could have blossomed".
You let go of her hands, stepping back to avoid falling further into that place. "I do not have to explain to anyone the pain that I felt turning down his proposal. I do not answer to you, or pa'pa about what I choose to sooth my heart. I did the right thing" you cried, "He was- he deserved better and life took a turn for him. I can not, no, I will not be burdened to carry the weight of that on my shoulders for the rest of my life." . You bit back as the sting of tears lined your lashes, watching your mother swallow every word she could not speak allowed.
A quiet thrice knock echoes off the wooden doors to the drawing room.
"Is it a bad time?" A low drawn voice calls out needlessly pulling both your attention.
His tall body resting on the frame, and the most recognized emerald eyes within London politely smiling at both you and your mother. "Miss (L/N) and Viscountess (L/N), I was wondering if I may call on upon your daughter tomorrow for a private promenade- I know the last time we spoke was unpleasant but I hope to make up for that and keep our families names stable enough.".
Every bone in your body froze in place.
part 2
divider credits: @uzmacchiato & @strangergraphics ! Thank you for all the amazing work ya'll do <3
Imagine being from our universe and going to Hogwarts
“What the-“ you whispered, confused as to how you went from sitting on your bed reading Harry Potter, to sitting on a bed, across from Harry Potter. “How the frick?”
“Who are you? And how did you apparate inside the castle?” Ron said from the bed next to you.
“Holy crap, I’ve gone meta or something!” You squealed before realising you needed to explain. “My name’s Y/N L/N, and I’m from another universe.”
Summary: Sam came across a book where the main character kills herself, but as one of the boys’ cases ends, they find someone who needs their help… not realizing who it is at first.
A/N: This is the first part to a series, and I hope you like it! Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated, and no feedback makes me feel like you guys don’t care to read it.. which means there will probably be less to read.
Word Count is around 2700.
She was numb. Completely emotionally numb… and she was tired of feeling that way. Red lines littered her body. Pain wasn’t helping this time. Looking back, she knew where all this was leading, no matter how many people said it never had to go there…
Sam glanced up from the book. He was currently curled up on the couch in the bunker, spending a quiet day reading. There was no current case, and no impending apocalypse, so he planned to spend the day lost in a book.
He happened to come across this book when he and his brother were out on their last case. It was the first book in what was supposed to be a trilogy, but google searches weren’t helpful with any information regarding the book. It was a recent book - having been published only three years prior - but the copy he had was missing the author’s name on the cover page (and bio from the back), so he was left with a general title and no way of knowing if the book continued.
Normally he would read a classic novel, such as Moby Dick or the Grapes of Wrath, but something about this novel caught his attention. The main character was compelling, and Sam found himself hooked every time she talked, even though his heart broke at her words. Many times he found himself having to be consciously reminded that this was a work of fiction.
The main character, (Y/N), was overall an under-valued person. Sam found her character to be heartbreaking, yet humble. More than once he wished he could meet her, reassure her that she was valued, that someone cared for her.. and more than in a familial sense: He valued her for more things than her family would ever know about. Her strength, her endurance, her mind. She was a completely developed character, but yet her flaws seemed to weigh her down more than they should.
He knew how easy it was, constantly looking down on yourself so when something positive was said you didn’t believe it. More than anything he wanted this character to care for herself the way he did.
Sam shut his eyes and sighed. If Dean were here, he would never let Sam live this down. Meeting a fictional character was ridiculous.
But was it? Stranger things had happened in their lives. Once they had even been trapped in a parallel universe where their world was fictional.
His mind wandered at the possibility. What would he say to her? Sam’s first thoughts turned to her attitude toward herself. She had such a low opinion of herself, and that itself was heartbreaking. She would consistently sacrifice herself for anyone because she didn’t feel as if she was worth the fight. That is what he would address. He would fight for her.
Sam was snapped out of his thoughts as cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“I found us a case.” Dean said loudly. He was currently on his way back to the bunker, driving fast and with the windows down. “There’s a nest, just north of Jefferson City, Missouri.”
“Alright,” Sam said, attempting to find his bookmark. “We leaving tonight?”
“I figure we leave tonight then get there early enough in the day to take down those sons-of-bitches.” Sam barely heard his brother over the wind in the background.
“Okay, I’ll start packing.” Sam said, still in search of the vanishing bookmark.
“See you soon.” Dean ended the call with a click, and only after standing up did Sam finally see the old tattered bookmark where he had been sitting.
Muttering to himself, he rolled his eyes and headed to his room to pack.
The hunt went as expected; there was a close call, but the brothers got out with barely a scratch on them while the victims had been saved if not slightly scarred from the experience. After dropping the two slightly damaged men off at the nearest hospital, the brothers headed to the edge of town before finding a motel to crash at for the night.
The boys’ standards for finding a suitable room were low; two beds and, at this time of year, a working heater. It was supposed to snow that night, and Sam had convinced his brother to wait until morning when he could actually see rather than drive at night through a snow storm.
In the meanwhile, Sam had called dibs on the shower first and once he was cleaned up, he sprawled out on his bed - “since you got the shower first I get to choose the beds” Dean had whined, - and pulled out the paperback book he was close to finishing.
He almost refused to finish it. Sam knew what was coming; her attempt to end her life. But he couldn’t stand not knowing exactly how she did it, or if she succeeded.
Sam read the last few pages in horror.
I could feel the blood pounding in my ears, as if my heart was begging me not to go through with it. But it was too late. My mouth was dry as I stood there on the edge of the bridge. My toes were already dangling over the empty air as I kept one hand on the cold metal rail behind me. I took a deep yet shaky breath; trying to gather the courage to take the step… my last step.
I felt the tears running down my cheeks before I even recognized the fact that I was crying. But those tears were not shed in sorrow. I was angry. I hated the world for putting me here. It was cruel irony; the bright future others claimed I had was about to be long gone with this last step.
I closed my eyes. The blood was staining my clothes but it didn’t matter at this point. I slowly brought my foot up, off the ledge of the concrete bridge I stood on. I could hear the water running beneath me and I longed to be part of the peaceful scene below.
So I leaned forward and let go of the rail. I felt myself begin to fall, but the feeling one would normally have in their stomach, the butterflies… I didn’t feel them.
Time seemed to slow down as I fell. My body tumbled over itself until I was facing upwards with my back to the ground below me. The stream under me babbled as I grew closer to it’s inviting waters. My eyes glanced between the full moon and the clouds that covered the stars. It was a beautiful summer night, I only hoped others would appreciate her beauty as I did. The magnificence of nature always astounded me, and as I closed my eyes I waited for nature to claim me as her own.
But nature was not so sweet.
Sam frowned and checked the next few empty pages. Nothing? That is how the book ends? That wasn’t even an ending… no closure, no last-minute revelation, nothing. Sam stared at the book with his eyebrows furrowed until Dean finally snapped his fingers in front of his brother’s face.
“Dude, you’ve been staring at that thing for a while now. Did you just find out about Luke’s father?”
“What?” Sam asked, only hearing the last part of Dean’s question.
“Luke’s father… it’s a Star Wars reference… huge plot twist…” Dean said slowly, but Sam shook his head.
“No,” the taller brother said, “It’s not a plot twist or anything…it’s the end.” He pursed his lips as he re-read the last few sentences again. “She… dies.”
“Lemme see that.” Dean said, snatching the book out of his brother’s hand. He cleared his throat before reading aloud. “’I took a deep yet shaky breath; trying to gather the courage to take the step… my last step.’ Dude.” Dean said, throwing a questioning glance at Sam. “What the hell… what kind of depressing shit do you read?”
Sam ignored Dean as he finished the page. “Huh,” Dean said, turning the pages like his brother had done. “So that’s it?”
“I guess so.” Sam said with a frustrated sigh. “I haven’t been able to find anything on it.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Dean said, already losing interest as he collapsed onto his bed. “Well, let’s get some shut eye,” He flipped a few nearby light switches off. Sam threw the book onto his dufflebag, mentally reminding himself to pack it in the morning, then turned off the remained of the lights.
The next morning the brothers slept in unknowingly. The snow storm had hit hard the previous night and the power had gone out as a consequence. Dean was the first one to wake, only to see a red-lighted alarm clock with the wrong time blinking back at him.
“Sam.” Dean grumbled, throwing a pillow at his larger brother. “Time to get up.”
Sam grumbled but sat up. “What time is it?” He asked, running a hand through his hair sleepily.
“Around ten.” Dean said, glancing at the watch that never left his wrist. “Let’s get something to eat and hit the road. We still have a four hour drive.” Sam nodded and crawled over to his duffle bag.
They were ready within ten minutes. Dean had already brushed the snow off Baby when Sam had come back from returning the keys to the front desk. The roads were icy, but nothing the two of them hadn’t come across before. Snow plows were passed and salt was spread on the road. Sam absent-mindedly wondered if demons hated winter for this reason specifically.
They were halfway back to the Bunker when they stopped for gas. Sam headed inside to use the bathroom and get snacks while Dean filled the tank. Sam was at the counter when a news bulletin caught his attention.
“Many back roads in Missouri and Kansas have been closed due to the snow storm that hit last night. This blizzard has set national records for the sheer area of land it hit, but this record comes with a price; many roads and even interstates should expect delays due to shortages of snow plows.”
Sam grabbed his snacks and headed back to Dean. “Change of plans…”
The detour added two more hours on the total driving time, but the snow hadn’t hit the southern part of the state as much as it had the north, which meant less traffic and overall waiting. The brothers were about an hour and a half out from the bunker when it began to snow again.
“You’ve got to be fudging kidding me.” Dean muttered as he flipped on his windshield wipers. The snow reduced visibility significantly and Dean was forced to slow down as the roads began to curve and wind through the hillside. There were a handful of small towns along the road they were on, but they were about to pass the last one before the rest of the drive into the in-populated area south of the Bunker.
They were barely half an hour outside the last town, or an hour from the bunker, when the road conditions deteriorated completely. Dean sighed, knowing even Baby couldn’t get through three feet of snow. Besides, it was practically a death wish trying to drive blind on the windy ass roads they were riding. Dean placed the car in park and opened the door before Sam managed to ask.
“I’m going to see how far this damn snow goes. If it’s just a little ways, we can clear it and get back. If not, we’ll turn around and get back to the last town we passed.” He reasoned, and Sam nodded his approval.
It turned out to only be that deep for the next hundred feet or so; just until it passed the bridge they were coming up on. Dirt shovels were a pain in the ass to use to move snow, but they were the brothers’ only resource. Half an hour passed before a path had been cleared on the road, and the boys were just about to head back to the impala when Sam happened to glance at the river below the bridge they were standing on.
“Shit.” He cursed, letting his shovel hit the ground as he ran back to the road in order to find a way down to the river. Dean watched his brother curiously before spotting what sent Sam into a panic.
A girl laid on the water’s edge; she looked beyond pale and Dean watched, holding his breath on the off chance she could still be alive.
Sam picked his way down the rocky slope as he tried to reach the girl. He wasn’t sure what to expect as he approached, but as he saw her move his caution melted away. “Dean, she’s alive!” Sam called, reaching down to check for a pulse.
He faintly heard the Impala roar to life as Dean pulled the car forward to help reduce the distance. Carefully, Sam placed his arms under the cold girl before slowly picking her up. She was unconscious and he silently hoped she wasn’t in any pain.
“She needs a hospital.” Sam said once he was within earshot of his brother. Dean shook his head as he helped place the girl in the backseat of the Impala.
“How the hell are we supposed to get her there?” Dean said, jumping in the front seat while Sam sat in the back with the unconscious girl as his brother pealed out of park. “It’s going to take longer for us to backtrack to a hospital. The bunker is her best bet.”
“But she’s hypothermic.”
“Yeah, and you were too at one point.” Dean said, stepping more on the gas. “Just get her dry and warm. It’ll be easier when we get back to the bunker.” Sam nodded and wrapped the girl in his jacket before pulling her closer to him, hoping his body heat would help to keep her warm.
Dean continued to speed through the countryside as Sam felt the girl shiver against him. Blood and mud covered over half her clothes, but he didn’t see any wounds at the moment.
“Cas.” Dean growled from the front seat. “I know you’ve been busy but we could really use you.”
But like the last dozen times Dean had called to the angel, nothing happened. The girl had yet to regain consciousness, and Sam and Dean quietly conversed over the seats.
”How old do you think she is?” Dean asked, glancing in the rear-view mirror at the girl who appeared younger than the two of them.
“I have no idea.” Sam said, never have gotten a good look at her face. “Maybe in her twenties?”
“Twenties?” Dean restated. “What was she doing all the way out of town?”
“I don’t know.” Sam said, his eyebrows bunching together. “How did she get there?” Sam asked aloud. “There weren’t any tire-tracks in the snow besides ours…”
“Unless the car came by before the snow hit.” Dean suggested
“That would have been last night or early this morning, nearly twelve hours, Dean.”
“She wouldn’t have made it alive out there for that long.” Dean said, glancing once more in the mirror above him. Sam shook his head, lost in thought.
“Unless she’s not human.” Sam threw out, and Dean’s jaw clenched.
“All the holy water is in the trunk.” He said, running over the tests in his head. “But hey, here.” Dean said, handing Sam his silver blade. Sam pressed the flat edge to the girl’s unclothed arm and shook his head.
‘No reaction.” Sam said, handing his brother his knife back before gently opening the girl’s mouth slightly to check for fangs. “Not a vamp, either. No fangs. “
Dean nodded. “Looks like we’ll just have to wait for her to wake up then.” He glanced back at his brother, who was watching the girl with a curious gaze. “Hopefully she’ll be able to clear everything up.”
